The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-01-12
THEIR METHODS OF TRAINING.


PrIzo Ffshters and Athletes-Radical
Errors OF Observation-Disclosures.
Ever since athletic sports have been fol-
lowed people have put themselves on record
through misstatements about prize fighters
md their methods of training-how this or
that mans death was caused by overtraining
or too rapid preparation for any special
feat. No question has brought to light so
much gross ignorance rs this one. It is not
overtraining that causes the trouble, but in
sufficient work, or total negligence of train
Ing. Tho writer's experience dates back to
The time when dre1ching and many hours of
fatiguing work werc the rule, and, even with
nll their errors, the trainers Of quarter of q
century ago got their men into better con-
,lition than tho latter day trainers do.
The modern trainers go to tho other eX-
treme, as they scarcely work their charges ut
NIL, prefcrring to have their men big and
strong rather than thin and overdrawn.
Some have struck tho happy medium, and
they invariably present their men in good
trim. This is generally accomplished by slow
and careful work, which, while not being
snowy, is none the less thorough. One of the
most radical errors modern trainers plunge
into is the rushing system They get hold Of
q strapping young fellow, who is high III
flesh, and think that by the driving process
they can get him fit in a fortnight. They
generally DO succeed in getting him down to
the last stage of sparseness Of flesh, but the
athletes strength has also passed away with
superluous tissue.
The man looks well to the eye, but he Is
very much like cardboard house-apt to
fall in if hit in the middle. Many an athlete
has stepped into the arena looking fit to con-
tend for kingdom, while, in reality, he was
less able to stand as much punishment or
SCANNING as his antagonist, who was fat and
had done no work at all Of course, there
are some men who can reduce very rapidly
and retain e. certain amount Of physical
strength and vitality. Yet even these find
constant and speedy training spells take al
the steel out of them, and each succeeding
spell of preparation find them less inclined
than ever to jump out and take their grucl
with that zest which shows that an athlete
has lost none of his old power.
Such methods as these have ruined more
men than anything else, for lazy man viii
do more harm in week than CON be undone
In moEtn. No one, oaly tnoSo WIZ 10
undergone severe athletic preparation
knows what is endured during tho first weel
or so Of training, The removal Of the foose
fat, especially that which IS inside, seems te
engendcr OH all-devouring thirst, and the
first thing an athlete does is to resort tt
liquids. If he be a professional it is ten tt
one that be Graves for something stronger
than water. Here is where the selftlenia
comes in, for should lie give way all the goot
work done by exercise VIII be undone in {
very few minutes If he manages to- flgh
the craving down his reward will be great
for tho parching thirst will gradually dfsap
pear. Tho superfluous flesh will melt a!
though by magic and in its place healthy
growth of muscle will make its appearance
Cor. New York Star.